INFECTIOUS DISEASE: FELV: FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS TESTING

The standard screening blood test for feline leukemia virus (felv),called an ELISA test, is very sensitive; it rarely misses detecting an infected patient. Some cats that test positive will eventually develop an immune response to the virus and eliminate it from their bodies, so a single positive test does not confirm lifelong infection.

When a cat tests positive with the screening test we feel it is best to wait 12 weeks and then retest. At the time of the retest we use a different blood test, called an IFA. If this test is positive then there is a 97% chance the patient is a lifelong carrier.